New Student Orientation

DSPS "New Student Orientation" is an admission requirement for all new students formally admitted to the Disability
Services Program. Starting fall 2009, after having received a letter of acceptance
to the Disability Services Program, new students will be required to complete this
activity.

Begin Disabilities Services' New Student Orientation now:

1. Getting Started

You have been admitted into the DSP&S program. What do you do next?

What is a counselor / specialist?

How do I obtain alternate media services?

Where do I take exams?

What do my accommodations mean?

What should I expect of DSP&S?

2. Where do I go First?

Your first stop along your path to achieve your educational dreams is the Student
Services Building (corner of College and Coldwell), Room 112.

Here, you will turn in your DSPS application and schedule an appointment to see a
Counselor or Specialist.

3. Counselor? Specialist?

What is the difference? A counselor will complete an SEC (Student Education Contract)
with you, review your functional abilities / disability and assign accommodations
specific to your individual needs. A specialist may be required to determine a learning
disability or initiate specialized services, such as interpreting for the Deaf.

It is the students’ responsibility to request alternative media formats in a timely
manner (typical requests take one to two weeks to process).

Next, take the form and SEC to the Alternate Media Department – located on the East
Campus, in the Student Services Building, Room 114.

Purchasing your course materials is required before materials in alternate format
can be released to you.

A receipt is required as proof of purchase for materials.

Books can be rented from the Pirates Bookstore or checked out from the MJC Library
and CalWORKs.

6. Responsibilities and Expectations

The Disability Services Center attempts to meet all reasonable requests for services.
To ensure prompt, efficient, quality services, it is essential that you follow the
procedures described in this orientation. Please refer to your copy and become familiar
with your responsibilities in arranging services.

The policies in this orientation have been established so that you will know exactly
how to request the services that you need.

7. Responsibilities and Expectations per Office of Civil Rights…

In providing an academic adjustment, your postsecondary school is not required to
lower or effect substantial modifications to essential requirements. For example,
although your school may be required to provide extended testing time, it is not required
to change the substantive content of the test.

In addition, your postsecondary school does not have to make modifications that would
fundamentally alter the nature of a service, program or activity that would result
in undue financial or administrative burdens.

Finally, your postsecondary school does not have to provide personal attendants, individually
prescribed devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices or services
of a personal nature, such as tutoring and typing.

8. Responsibilities and Expectations - MJC Standards of Conduct

The following conduct shall constitute good cause for discipline, including but not
limited to, the removal, suspension, or expulsion of a student:

Causing, attempting to cause, or threatening to cause physical injury to another person

Possession, sale or otherwise furnishing any firearm, knife, explosive or other dangerous
object including, but not limited to any facsimile thereof

Unlawful possession, use, sale, offer to sell, or furnishing or being under the influence
of any controlled substance

Committing or attempting to commit robbery or extortion

Causing or attempting to cause damage to district property or to private property
on campus

Committing sexual harassment as defined by law or by district policies and procedures

Engaging in harassing or discriminatory behavior based on race, religion, creed, color,
national origin, ancestry, disability or sex (i.e. gender), sexual orientation or
any other status protected by law

Reprimand -Verbal or written notification that continued inappropriate conduct will result
in formal disciplinary action.

Instructor Removal -Instructor may remove a student from his/her class for the day of the misconduct
and the next class meeting.

Disciplinary Probation -Formal disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, the following:

a. Removal from any Associated Student’s organization office held

b. Revocation of the privilege of participating in College and/or student-sponsored
activities.

* Disciplinary Suspension -Formal disciplinary action denying campus privileges for a specified period of time.
A suspended student may not be on any portion of the campus. There shall be two classes
of suspensions:

a. The first, “summary suspension,” serves as a penalty against the student as a result
of the failure of his/her conduct to meet standards expected by the College.

b. The second, “disciplinary suspension,” serves as a penalty against the student as
a result of the failure of his/her conduct to meet standards expected by the College.*
Expulsion -Formal action taken by the Yosemite Community College District terminating
a student’s privilege to attend the Colleges of the District, for disciplinary reasons.

9. Where Do I Take Exams?

Un-accommodated exams may be taken in the classroom. Accommodated exams must be taken in the DSP&S testing room – located on the East Campus in the Journalism
Bldg, Room 155 or, located on the West Campus in Yosemite Hall, Room 145A. Note: The
campus where your class is located determines where the test is taken.

Remember, to receive testing accommodations, the test must be taken at DSP&S!

Please note that a request for a test MUST be received by Carol or Maria (on the East
Campus) or Kim (on the West Campus) at least four (4) business days before the test
to ensure testing accommodations are provided!! Weekends do not count!!

10. Types of Accommodations You May Be Eligible for…

Distraction Reduced. Testing takes place in a quiet setting with minimal distraction. Noise reducing headphones
are also available.

T ½ = Time and a half. IF the class receives 1 hour, you receive 1 ½ hours to take your exam.

DT = Double time. IF the class receives 1 hour, you receive two hours to take your exam.

Scribe / Note taker. A person is provided to write your responses.

NCR Paper –A student in class takes your notes for you.

Magnifying machine –used for low vision students to enlarge materials.

Math Aide –A math aide is either a multiplication table or a calculator which may be allowed
by math instructors for exams at Math 90 and above.The decision to allow a math aide
and type of calculator is up to the instructor, not the student. Note, the calculator
may be restricted to non-programmable or non-graphing calculators.

Braille –Course materials are provided in Braille format.

E-Text –Course materials are provided in audio format (book on tape).

Enlarged print –Course materials are enlarged.

Priority Registration –Students in the DSP&S program are awarded the opportunity to enroll in classes before
they are open to community enrollment. Note: You must have two DSP&S counselor or
specialist contacts and two additional service contacts per year to maintain this
privilege.

11. Some Adaptive Classes Available to You are:

{IIS classes are not available now but we hope to have them available again soon}

IIS 13 –Improving Learning Potential. This class is designed for students in the DSP&S program
who wish to improve their learning and / or memory.

IIS 16 -Incorporates the use of technology based software and hardware to overcome learning
disability, mobility impairment, or visual impairment.